“No Expectations”
The Buddha was right. (Damn that guy…) Our suffering comes from craving, or as I recently understood it, from expectations. Shedding them is yeoman’s work, but if we have any shot at happiness, it lies therein.
I spent two days in silent meditation this weekend. The occasion was my birthday and I wanted to get away and reflect. My life has changed radically since my last birthday, and taking stock of it all felt like the right thing to do.
In truth, two days is not long enough. I sat, walked, talked to birds, laughed, cried, drank tea, slept, thought about my life, and just as I thought I was getting settled, it was time to leave. But on thing rang clear: I live my life with a series of expectations, and when they are not met, I suffer.
I expect friendship from… friends, I expect my efforts to be rewarded, I expect my good deeds to be appreciated. It is rarely so. Friends disappoint to an alarming degree, efforts are seen through a narrow prism, and good deeds should be performed for their own sake.
So, if there is a theme for the coming year, it is in having no expectations. Feel free to join me. But don’t expect anything.
I’ll let Mick and the boys take it from here…
What’s the difference between expectation and hope?
Whatever it is, just be sure you don’t give up the wrong one.